Former Steelers Center Jeff Hartings: Team Could Use More No-Huddle

PHILADELPHIA - AUGUST 25: Center Jeff Hartings #64 of the Pittsburgh Steelers waits to hike the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during a preseason game on August 25, 2006 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Steelers 16-7. (Photo by Len Redkoles/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Hartings(Photo by Len Redkoles/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) – The only real signs of life we’ve seen from the Steelers offense this year has come when they run it out of the no-huddle, and former Steeler and current pregame show co-host Jeff Hartings believes they may want to turn the reins over to Ben Roethlisberger a little more often.

“I think they need to consider that,” Hartings said. “I think under these circumstances they’re in, because their offense has been able to score the traditional way that the Steelers have always run the offense. Personally, knowing Ben Roethlisberger and his personality, I think he’d love to be able to run an offense like Peyton Manning.”

With the Steelers now going eight-straight games dating back to last season without topping 100 rushing yards, we get Hartings’ opinion on why they’re so ineffective in the ground game.

“There’s several things,” he said. “One thing is injuries. They’ve had backs that are not necessarily the premiere backs in the league. I think also injuries across the offensive line. That never allows an offensive line to really get into sync, and I think that’s been a big issue for the offensive line during the course of those games. Obviously you have to point to coaching too.”

Hartings also weighed in on how the Steelers zone blocking scheme is working out and if anyone is playing well on the offensive line.